Bird Watching

Bird Watching is Britain’s best-selling birdwatching magazine. Each issue is packed with expert advice on when, where and how to see more birds, from common garden visitors to the most elusive rarities. There are features from some of British birdwatching’s best-known names, superbly illustrated by the work of the world’s best bird photographers, plus comprehensive coverage of all the latest sightings, guides to the best birdwatching sites, ID masterclasses, news and reviews of all the latest gear.

Welcome

BIRDING QUESTION • We ask this month’s contributors: What British bird would you carry out a 20-year study on?

YOUR BIRDING MONTH • AUTUMN

FIVE TO FIND IN AUTUMN • We are in the lovely, bird-rich time of the year somewhere between the last weeks of September and the first weeks of October. Perfect birding time and perfect for adding a few more birds to your year list, perhaps? Try these five lovelies.

RARITY PREDICTOR

Crossbill

JUVENILE WOODPIGEONS

CHECK TWICE AS HARD

PIPITS & WAGTAILS IN NUMBERS

Falcons

UK TIDES SEPTEMBER • The times below are for high tide, when waders and wildfowl will be pushed closer to dry land...

Beyond Birdwatching • Autumn offers plenty for the nature lover, suggests our resident colummnist.

Weedon’s World • The hot months of July into August are quiet for birding, but can be great for insect-watching and photography, Mike thinks

Celebrating ‘Eagle Town’ • Head to Dumfries and Galloway in September for an all-new birding festival

GRUMPY OLD BIRDER • This month, our esteemed columnist delves through dirt (and worse) to find birding gold

NEWS IN BRIEF

On the road again • What better way to break a long drive than with half an hour’s birdwatching? Former truck driver Mick Rennison recalls some memorable birding interludes…

HOW TO GET STARTED

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?

Make plans for garden guests • It isn’t only birds that need your help in the garden – we can all do our bit to help save the ever-popular Hedgehog, too.

BIRD OF THE MONTH

TIP OF THE MONTH

TASK OF THE MONTH

Long-eared Owl • The Long-eared Owl is probably one of the UK’s least-known resident birds, owing to its secretive behaviour, nocturnal habits and very scattered distribution. But they are really are worth seeing if you get the chance!

Lords of the RINGS • Even today, birds offer a chance for ‘amateur’ researchers to make a significant contribution to science. Take the Ring Ouzel, for example...

Bird listening • You’ll learn a great deal very quickly if you can identify birds without being able to see them.

ID Challenge • This month’s challenge features autumn scarcities/rarities. How many can you name?

Answers & solutions • Check your answers against our explanations. Remember, as ever, there are no ‘trick’ birds or extreme rarities among those here

ID Tips & tricks • Here are a few extra tips to help you to identify scarcities/rarities

GO BIRDING • 10 GREAT SITES FOR BRILLIANT BIRDWATCHING

Reader Shots • Send your snaps to birdwatching@bauermedia.co.uk to be in with a chance of seeing your photo in print. All images should be high resolution JPEG files.

YOURVIEW • PHOTOS, LETTER, TWEETS, QUESTIONS – HAVE YOUR SAY

PICS FROM OUR FACEBOOK GROUP

Your Questions • Send all your birding questions to birdwatching@bauermedia.co.uk and our experts will give you the answers

Spotted Redshank • With immaculate timing (and sometimes immaculate plumage), these graceful birds appear like clockwork. Dominic finds what makes them tick.

UK birding hotspots • THE BEST HOLIDAY OFFERS & TRAVEL REPORTS FROM AROUND...